two new shirts!

I’ve been talking about wanting to make a few spring clothing items, and finally got my chance this weekend.

This pattern is the Shearwater Kaftan by Toni Coward, which I purchased from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. I’m always hesitant to purchase patterns, because I don’t think I’ve ever really managed to follow one all the way through. Not the case here — I think this pattern is great! It’s well written, and the shirt comes together pretty quickly and easily.

In my attempt to really do it right this time, I first made one using some bleached muslin I had on hand to check the sizing. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t have to change a thing, and I ended up liking it in the white so I finished it with a little bias binding in Anna Maria Horner’s voile around the neck and along the bottom hem.

I liked it enough that I even wore it to a family gathering this weekend. My uncle said it had a ‘south of the border’ look, which I’m thinking may not have been a compliment. But no matter, I quite like it and I think it will get a lot of use this summer!

I made up the ‘real’ version in this lovely Nani Iro double gauze which I’ve been saving for something special. It also happens to be the same fabric used in the pattern photo. It’s lightweight and airy and I can’t wait to head to the beach wearing it! (and of course I’m planning a third out of some Little Folks fabric!)

Unfortunately I didn’t finish them in time to enter them in Rae‘s Spring Top week, but that’s probably good. Have you seen the entries in the Flickr pool? Amazing! As a judge I got a chance to score a bunch of them, and wow, it was hard! So many fabulous tops! Voting starts today, so head over there each day this week to vote for your favorite!

How funny, my copy of that pattern and fabric both came in todays mail. I’m going to make 2, one with Little Folks Voile and 1 with Heather Bailey Far Far away (not sure about pre-washing that one though, any insight?) I love your muslin version too. I’m thinking I might do that as well before I cut into the good stuff.

That is a silly comment because these tops are so IN now! I bought that same pattern, but haven’t had time to try it yet. Happy to hear it’s an easy one. Where did you find that fabric? I wanted to use the same fabric featured on the pattern photo. Love the bias binding which you can use to really customize for different colors.

They’re lovely tops. I have been wanting to make a Shearwater kaftan ever since I saw the pattern a couple of weeks ago. Thanks so much for telling us where the print fabric comes from – I have been scouring Etsy for it, but couldn’t find out what it was. Now at least I have a clue…

These are two great tops and a real inspiration! I’m waiting for some AMH little folks to arrive before the weekend to whip up a nice lightweight tunic. Not the same pattern as these two tops, but somewhat similar. Nice, lightweight, and not clingy – perfect for a steamy FL summer.

Hi Ashley. Your tops are lovely and I would really like to get this pattern and make some for myself. I have a pattern very similar to this and I made up a muslin of it yesterday but I had a few problems, one of which was that it didn’t seem to take account of the existence of my bust at all! How have you found the Shearwater pattern? It would be really useful to have some info on this as I don’t want to fork out for another pattern that I won’t be able to wear. (I want to post about it later, so have a look at my blog maybe).